Exclusive: Chelsea signing linked to likely Sterling exit, five more names could leave Blues soon

Chelsea are likely to look to offload Raheem Sterling after he was left out of yesterday’s matchday squad for the Manchester City game, with his exit closely linked to the imminent arrival of Joao Felix.

Sources with a close understanding of the situation at Stamford Bridge have informed CaughtOffside that Felix is getting closer to joining Chelsea, and that will have a big impact on Sterling’s future, even if the player himself is not pushing for a move away from the Blues.

Sterling’s camp released a statement yesterday after the England international failed to make Enzo Maresca’s squad, and this surely won’t help the 29-year-old’s situation, though it’s not yet clear what his next destination could be.

Chelsea are also likely to finalise some other exits soon, with sources telling CaughtOffside that there is increasing confidence that Romelu Lukaku can become a Napoli player by the end of the week, in time to make Antonio Conte’s next squad for Sunday’s Serie A game against Bologna.

Chelsea transfers: Could Blues lose a big name to Manchester United?

Other likely departures are Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja, whose futures have been in doubt for a while now, but one big name to watch is also Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, who is on Manchester United’s radar.

The Red Devils have issues in that position due to the injury-prone Luke Shaw, while Tyrell Malacia is also not available, though Noussair Mazraoui recently joined from Bayern Munich and can provide cover in that position as well as his preferred role of right-back.

Chilwell would be more of a natural left-sided player for Man Utd, however, and CaughtOffside understands they are considering the England international, with Maresca also speaking publicly to make it clear he can leave.

Broja could also be on the move to another Premier League club as he’s eyed by both Ipswich Town and Everton, with a move to AC Milan no longer looking likely, while Chalobah is progressing in talks over a move to Crystal Palace.

Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic could also be on his way out of CFC, and CaughtOffside understands he’s attracting interest from clubs in Serie A and the Bundesliga.